Electric rotating machine drivable with a single three-phase inverter

ABSTRACT

In an electric rotating machine, a stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups. The stator coil is wound around a stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that the phase difference in electrical angle between each corresponding pair of windings of the first and second winding groups is equal to π/6. Further, the windings of the first and second winding groups are connected to form Δ-Y connections. Consequently, the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the first winding group can be offset by those of the electromagnetic forces created the windings of the second winding group. As a result, the total magnetic noise and torque ripple generated in the machine can be reduced. Moreover, the machine can be driven with only a single three-phase inverter to achieve the effects of reducing the total magnetic noise and torque ripple.

This is a Division of application Ser. No. 12/861,412 filed Aug. 23, 2010. The disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-191945, filed on Aug. 21, 2009, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to electric rotating machines that include a multi-phase stator coil. More particularly, the invention relates to an electric rotating machine that has an improved stator coil arrangement for reducing magnetic noise and torque ripple and is drivable with only a single three-phase inverter.

A conventional three-phase electric rotating machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a hollow cylindrical stator core and a three-phase stator coil wound around the stator core. The rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles formed by permanent magnets. The magnetic poles are so arranged that the polarities thereof alternate between north and south in the circumferential direction of the stator core.

In such an electric rotating machine, magnetic noise and torque ripple are generally caused by the overlapping of harmonic components with sine-wave drive currents supplied to the phase windings of the stator coil. Further, in terms of magnetic flux, the main cause of magnetic noise and torque ripple is the third harmonic component of magnetic flux. Moreover, electromagnetic force is proportional to the square of magnetic flux. Therefore, in terms of electromagnetic force, the main cause of magnetic noise and torque ripple is the sixth harmonic component of electromagnetic force.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-5603 discloses a synchronous machine in which: the stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups; and the ratio of the number of magnetic poles of the rotor to the number of slots of the stator is equal to 10:12 or 14:12. The first winding group includes a plurality of windings each of which corresponds to one of U, V, and W phases. The windings of the first winding group are Δ-connected. On the other hand, the second winding group includes a plurality of windings each of which corresponds to one of X, Y, and Z phases. The windings of the second winding group are also Δ-connected. Further, the first and second winding groups are wound around the stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that: the windings of the first winding group are alternately arranged with those of the second winding group in the circumferential direction of the stator core; and each circumferentially-adjacent pair of one of the windings of the first winding group and one of the windings of the second winding group are wound in opposite directions. Consequently, the phase difference in electrical angle between each circumferentially-adjacent pair of one of the windings of the first winding group and one of the windings of the second winding group is equal to π/6. Moreover, the phase difference of π/6 is equal to half the wavelength (i.e., π/3) of the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the first and second winding groups. Therefore, the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the first winding group can be offset by those of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the second winding group. As a result, when the synchronous machine is used in a mechanical power generation system to function as an electric motor, the total magnetic noise and torque ripple generated in the synchronous machine can be reduced.

However, with the stator coil arrangement disclosed in the above patent document, it is necessary to employ two three-phase inverters to supply first and second three-phase AC currents, which are different in phase by π/6, respectively to the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group and the Δ-connected windings of the second winding group. Consequently, with the use of the two three-phase inverters, the scale, cost, and complexity of the entire mechanical power generation system will

SUMMARY

It is a primary object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems with the prior art.

According to the present invention, there is provided a first electric rotating machine which includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a hollow cylindrical stator core and a stator coil. The stator core has a plurality of stator core teeth that are formed at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction of the stator core. The stator coil has three terminals via which three-phase AC current is input to or output from the stator coil. The rotor is disposed radially inside of the stator core. The rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles the polarities of which alternate between north and south in the circumferential direction of the stator core. The number of the stator core teeth is equal to 12×n, and the number of the magnetic poles of the rotor is equal to 10×n or 14×n, where n is a natural number. The stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups. The first winding group includes 2×n X-phase windings, 2×n Y-phase windings, and 2×n Z-phase windings. The second winding group includes 2×n U-phase windings, 2×n V-phase windings, and 2×n W-phase windings. The stator coil is wound around the stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that each of the windings of the first and second winding groups is wound around a corresponding one of the stator core teeth. The windings of the first and second winding groups are connected to form 2×n Δ-Y connections that are arranged one after another in the circumferential direction of the stator core. Each of the Δ-Y connections is formed of six different-phase windings including one X-phase winding, one Y-phase winding, and one Z-phase winding of the first winding group and one U-phase winding, one V-phase winding, and one W-phase winding of the second winding group. The six different-phase windings are adjacent to one another and arranged in a phase sequence of U, X, V, Y, W, and Z in the circumferential direction of the stator core. For each of the Δ-Y connections, the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions; the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions; and the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions. Each of the Δ-Y connections is a combination of a Δ connection and a Y connection. The Δ connection is formed by Δ-connecting the three different-phase windings of one of the first and second winding groups. The Y connection is formed by Y-connecting the three different-phase windings of the other winding group. The Δ and Y connections are combined by connecting opposite ends of each of the Y-connected windings respectively to a corresponding one of nodes between the Δ-connected windings and a corresponding one of the three terminals of the stator coil.

With the above configuration, the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the first winding group can be offset by those of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the second winding group. As a result, when the first electric rotating machine is used in a mechanical power generation system to function as an electric motor, the total magnetic noise and torque ripple generated in the first electric rotating machine can be reduced. Moreover, unlike the synchronous machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-5603, the first electric rotating machine can be driven with only a single three-phase inverter to achieve the above-described effects of reducing the total magnetic noise and torque ripple. Consequently, with the use of the single three-phase inverter, reductions in the scale, cost, and complexity of the entire mechanical power generation system can be achieved.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a second electric rotating machine which includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a hollow cylindrical stator core and a stator coil. The stator core has a plurality of stator core teeth that are formed at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction of the stator core. The stator coil has three terminals via which three-phase AC current is input to or output from the stator coil. The rotor is disposed radially inside of the stator core. The rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles the polarities of which alternate between north and south in the circumferential direction of the stator core. The number of the stator core teeth is equal to 12×n, and the number of the magnetic poles of the rotor is equal to 10×n or 14×n, where n is a natural number. The stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups. The first winding group includes 2×n X-phase windings, 2×n Y-phase windings, and 2×n Z-phase windings. The second winding group includes 2×n U-phase windings, 2×n V-phase windings, and 2×n W-phase windings. Each of the windings of the first and second winding groups includes a first section and a second section. The stator coil is wound around the stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that each of the first and second sections of the windings of the first and second winding groups is wound around a corresponding one of the stator core teeth. For each of the windings of the first and second winding groups, the first and second sections of the winding are wound in opposite directions. The windings of the first and second winding groups are connected to form 2×n Δ-Y connections that are arranged one after another in the circumferential direction of the stator core. Each of the Δ-Y connections is formed of six different-phase windings including one X-phase winding, one Y-phase winding, and one Z-phase winding of the first winding group and one U-phase winding, one V-phase winding, and one W-phase winding of the second winding group. For each of the Δ-Y connections: (1) the first and second sections of the three different-phase windings of the first winding group are arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core in a sequence of the first section of the X-phase winding, the second section of the X-phase winding, the first section of the Y-phase winding, the second section of the Y-phase winding, the first section of the Z-phase winding, and the second section of the Z-phase winding; (2) the first and second sections of the three different-phase windings of the second winding group are arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core in a sequence of the first section of the U-phase winding, the second section of the U-phase winding, the first section of the V-phase winding, the second section of the V-phase winding, the first section of the W-phase winding, and the second section of the W-phase winding; (3) the first section of the U-phase winding and the second section of the X-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the second section of the U-phase winding and the first section of the Y-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the first section of the V-phase winding and the second section of the Y-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the second section of the V-phase winding and the first section of the Z-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, and the first section of the W-phase winding and the second section of the Z-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth; and (4) the first sections of the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the first sections of the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the first sections of the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions. Moreover, each of the Δ-Y connections is a combination of a Δ connection and a Y connection. The Δ connection is formed by Δ-connecting the three different-phase windings of one of the first and second winding groups. The Y connection is formed by Y-connecting the three different-phase windings of the other winding group. The Δ and Y connections are combined by connecting opposite ends of each of the Y-connected windings respectively to a corresponding one of nodes between the Δ-connected windings and a corresponding one of the three terminals of the stator coil.

The second electric rotating machine has the same advantages as the first electric rotating machine. In addition, in the second electric rotating machine, each corresponding pair of the windings of the first and second winding groups occupies an angular range covering three stator core teeth. Consequently, the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces caused by the corresponding pair of the windings can be offset in a wider angular range. As a result, it is possible to more effectively reduce the total magnetic noise and torque ripple generated in the second electric rotating machine.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a third electric rotating machine which includes a stator and a rotor.

The stator includes a hollow cylindrical stator core and a stator coil. The stator core has a plurality of stator core teeth that are formed at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction of the stator core. The stator coil has three terminals via which three-phase AC current is input to or output from the stator coil. The rotor is disposed radially inside of the stator core. The rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles the polarities of which alternate between north and south in the circumferential direction of the stator core. The number of the stator core teeth is equal to 12×n, and the number of the magnetic poles of the rotor is equal to 10×n or 14×n, where n is a natural number. The stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups. The first winding group includes 2×n X-phase windings, 2×n Y-phase windings, and 2×n Z-phase windings. The second winding group includes 2×n U-phase windings, 2×n V-phase windings, and 2×n W-phase windings. The stator coil is wound around the stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that each of the windings of the first and second winding groups is wound around a corresponding one of the stator core teeth. The windings of the first and second winding groups are connected to form 2×n Δ-Y connections that are arranged one after another in the circumferential direction of the stator core. Each of the Δ-Y connections is formed of six different-phase windings including one X-phase winding, one Y-phase winding, and one Z-phase winding of the first winding group and one U-phase winding, one V-phase winding, and one W-phase winding of the second winding group. The six different-phase windings are adjacent to one another and arranged in a phase sequence of U, X, V, Y, W, and Z in the circumferential direction of the stator core. For each of the Δ-Y connections, the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions; the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions; and the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions. Each of the Δ-Y connections is a combination of a Δ connection and a Y connection. The Δ connection is formed by Δ-connecting the three different-phase windings of one of the first and second winding groups. Nodes between the Δ-connected windings are respectively connected to the three terminals of the stator coil. The Y connection is formed by Y-connecting the three different-phase windings of the other winding group to define a neutral point therebetween. The Δ and Y connections are combined by connecting ends of the Y-connected windings opposite to the neutral point respectively to the nodes between the Δ-connected windings.

The third electric rotating machine has the same advantages as the first electric rotating machine.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a fourth electric rotating machine which includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a hollow cylindrical stator core and a stator coil. The stator core has a plurality of stator core teeth that are formed at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction of the stator core. The stator coil has three terminals via which three-phase AC current is input to or output from the stator coil. The rotor is disposed radially inside of the stator core. The rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles the polarities of which alternate between north and south in the circumferential direction of the stator core. The number of the stator core teeth is equal to 12×n, and the number of the magnetic poles of the rotor is equal to 10×n or 14×n, where n is a natural number. The stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups. The first winding group includes 2×n X-phase windings, 2×n Y-phase windings, and 2×n Z-phase windings. The second winding group includes 2×n U-phase windings, 2×n V-phase windings, and 2×n W-phase windings. Each of the windings of the first and second winding groups includes a first section and a second section. The stator coil is wound around the stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that each of the first and second sections of the windings of the first and second winding groups is wound around a corresponding one of the stator core teeth. For each of the windings of the first and second winding groups, the first and second sections of the winding are wound in opposite directions. The windings of the first and second winding groups are connected to form 2×n Δ-Y connections that are arranged one after another in the circumferential direction of the stator core. Each of the Δ-Y connections is formed of six different-phase windings including one X-phase winding, one Y-phase winding, and one Z-phase winding of the first winding group and one U-phase winding, one V-phase winding, and one W-phase winding of the second winding group. For each of the Δ-Y connections: (1) the first and second sections of the three different-phase windings of the first winding group are arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core in a sequence of the first section of the X-phase winding, the second section of the X-phase winding, the first section of the Y-phase winding, the second section of the Y-phase winding, the first section of the Z-phase winding, and the second section of the Z-phase winding; (2) the first and second sections of the three different-phase windings of the second winding group are arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core in a sequence of the first section of the U-phase winding, the second section of the U-phase winding, the first section of the V-phase winding, the second section of the V-phase winding, the first section of the W-phase winding, and the second section of the W-phase winding; (3) the first section of the U-phase winding and the second section of the X-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the second section of the U-phase winding and the first section of the Y-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the first section of the V-phase winding and the second section of the Y-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the second section of the V-phase winding and the first section of the Z-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, and the first section of the W-phase winding and the second section of the Z-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth; and (4) the first sections of the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the first sections of the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the first sections of the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions. Moreover, each of the Δ-Y connections is a combination of a Δ connection and a Y connection. The Δ connection is formed by Δ-connecting the three different-phase windings of one of the first and second winding groups. Nodes between the Δ-connected windings are respectively connected to the three terminals of the stator coil. The Y connection is formed by Y-connecting the three different-phase windings of the other winding group to define a neutral point therebetween. The Δ and Y connections are combined by connecting ends of the Y-connected windings opposite to the neutral point respectively to the nodes between the Δ-connected windings.

The fourth electric rotating machine has the same advantages as the second electric rotating machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments but are for the purpose of explanation and understanding only.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of an electric rotating machine according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a development of an axial cross section of the electric rotating machine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic winding connection diagram of the electric rotating machine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the overall configuration of a mechanical power generation system which includes the electric rotating machine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a waveform chart illustrating the waveforms of drive currents respectively supplied to a corresponding pair of windings of first and second winding groups that form a stator coil of the electric rotating machine;

FIG. 6 is a waveform chart illustrating the offsetting of the six harmonic component of torque caused by the first winding group by that caused by the second winding group;

FIG. 7 is a waveform chart illustrating both the waveform of torque generated by the electric rotating machine according to the first embodiment and the waveform of torque generated by a conventional electric rotating machine;

FIG. 8 is a development of an axial cross section of an electric rotating machine according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic winding connection diagram of the electric rotating machine according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic winding connection diagram of an electric rotating machine according to the third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the overall configuration of a mechanical power generation system which includes the electric rotating machine according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a schematic winding connection diagram of an electric rotating machine according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a development of an axial cross section of an electric rotating machine according to a modification of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a development of an axial cross section of an electric rotating machine according to another modification of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating the overall configuration of an electric rotating machine according to yet another modification of the invention; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a rotor of an electric rotating machine according to still another modification of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1-12. It should be noted that for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components having identical functions in different embodiments of the invention have been marked, where possible, with the same reference numerals in each of the figures and that for the sake of avoiding redundancy, descriptions of the identical components will not be repeated.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an electric rotating machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. As shown in the figure, the electric rotating machine 1 includes a rotor 2 and a stator 3.

Referring further to FIG. 2 together with FIG. 1, the stator 3 includes a hollow cylindrical stator core 30 and a stator coil 4 wound around the stator core 30. The stator core 30 has twelve stator core teeth 3 a that are formed to protrude radially inward and arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core 30 at a predetermined pitch. Between each circumferentially-adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 3 a, there is formed a slot 3 b. That is, the stator core 30 has twelve slots 3 b formed between the stator core teeth 3 a. The stator coil 4 is comprised of first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b.

The rotor 2 is rotatably disposed radially inside of the stator core 30. The rotor 2 has ten magnetic poles 2 a that are formed, for example by permanent magnets, on a radially outer periphery of the rotor 2 to face a radially inner periphery of the stator 3. Further, the ten magnetic poles 2 a include five N (North) poles and five S (South) poles that are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotor 2 (or in the circumferential direction of the stator core 30).

In the present embodiment, with respect to the number of the magnetic poles 2 a being equal to ten, the number of the stator core teeth 3 a is equal to twelve. Therefore, with respect to the pitch of the magnetic poles 2 a in electrical angle being equal to π, the pitch of the stator core teeth 3 a in electrical angle is equal to (1−⅙)π.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the first winding group 4 a includes two X-phase windings, two Y-phase windings, and two Z-phase windings. On the other hand, the second winding group 4 b includes two U-phase windings, two V-phase windings, and two W-phase windings. In addition, for the sake of convenience of explanation, in FIG. 3, the twelve stator core teeth 3 a of the stator core 30 are sequentially numbered with numerals 1 t-12 t; the twelve slots 3 b of the stator core 30 are sequentially numbered with numerals 1 s-12 s.

In the present embodiment, the stator coil 4 is wound around the stator core 30 in a concentrated winding manner so that each of the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b is wound around a corresponding one of the stator core teeth 3 a of the stator core 30.

Specifically, the windings of the first winding group 4 a are wound as follows.

The first X-phase winding X1 is wound, from the slot 1 s to the slot 2 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 2 t by a first predetermined number of turns. The first Y-phase winding Y1 is wound, from the slot 4 s to the slot 3 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 4 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The first Z-phase winding Z1 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 6 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 6 t by the first predetermined number of turns. Further, the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 are Δ-connected so that: the first X-phase winding X1 and the first Y-phase winding Y1 are connected at a node C2; the first Y-phase winding Y1 and the first Z-phase winding Z1 are connected at a node C3; and the first Z-phase winding Z1 and the first X-phase winding X1 are connected at a node C1.

Moreover, the second X-phase winding X2 is wound, from the slot 8 s to the slot 7 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 8 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second Y-phase winding Y2 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 10 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 10 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second Z-phase winding Z2 is wound, from the slot 12 s to the slot 11 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 12 t by the first predetermined number of turns. Further, the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 are Δ-connected so that: the second X-phase winding X2 and the second Y-phase winding Y2 are connected at a node C5; the second Y-phase winding Y2 and the second Z-phase winding Z2 are connected at a node C6; and the second Z-phase winding Z2 and the second X-phase winding X2 are connected at a node C4.

On the other hand, the windings of the second winding group 4 b are wound as follows.

The first U-phase winding U1 is wound, from the slot 1 s to the slot 12 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 1 t by a second predetermined number of turns. Further, the first U-phase winding U1 has one end protruding from the slot 1 s and connected to a first terminal T1 of the stator coil 4, and the other end protruding from the slot 12 s and connected to the node C1. The first V-phase winding V1 is wound, from the slot 2 s to the slot 3 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 3 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the first V-phase winding V1 has one end protruding from the slot 2 s and connected to a second terminal T2 of the stator coil 4, and the other end protruding from the slot 3 s and connected to the node C2. The first W-phase winding W1 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 4 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 5 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the first W-phase winding W1 has one end protruding from the slot 5 s and connected to a third terminal T3 of the stator coil 4, and the other end protruding from the slot 4 s and connected to the node C3. As a result, the first U-phase winding U1, the first V-phase winding V1, and the first W-phase winding W1 are Y-connected with the neutral point therebetween being made up of the Δ connection of the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 (see FIG. 4).

Moreover, the second U-phase winding U2 is wound, from the slot 6 s to the slot 7 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 7 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the second U-phase winding U2 has one end protruding from the slot 6 s and connected to the first terminal T1 of the stator coil 4, and the other end protruding from the slot 7 s and connected to the node C4. The second V-phase winding V2 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 8 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 9 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the second V-phase winding V2 has one end protruding from the slot 9 s and connected to the second terminal T2 of the stator coil 4, and the other end protruding from the slot 8 s and connected to the node C5. The second W-phase winding W2 is wound, from the slot 10 s to the slot 11 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 11 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the second W-phase winding W2 has one end protruding from the slot 10 s and connected to the third terminal T3 of the stator coil 4, and the other end protruding from the slot 11 s and connected to the node C6. As a result, the second U-phase winding U2, the second V-phase winding V2, and the second W-phase winding W2 are Y-connected with the neutral point therebetween being made up of the Δ connection of the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 (see FIG. 4).

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the stator coil 4 is comprised of two Δ-Y connections. The first Δ-Y connection is formed by combining the Δ connection of the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 with the Y connection of the first U-phase winding U1, the first V-phase winding V1, and the first W-phase winding W1. The second Δ-Y connection is formed by combining the Δ connection of the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 with the Y connection of the second U-phase winding U2, the second V-phase winding V2, and the second W-phase winding W2. It should be noted that: hereinafter, a Δ-Y connection denotes a Δ-Y-connected winding assembly; a Δ connection denotes a Δ-connected winding assembly; and a Y connection denotes a Y-connected winding assembly.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the first predetermined number of turns, by which each of the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group 4 a is wound, is set to be 1.6 to 1.9 times the second predetermined number of turns by which each of the Y-connected windings of the second winding group 4 b is wound.

FIG. 4 shows the overall configuration of a mechanical power generation system 100 in which the electric rotating machine 1 according to the present embodiment is used to function as an electric motor. In addition, the electric circuit of the stator 3 of the electric rotating machine 1 is also shown in FIG. 4.

The mechanical power generation system 100 includes, in addition to the electric rotating machine 1, a three-phase inverter 5, a controller 6, and an angular position sensor 9.

The inverter 5 is electrically connected to the terminals T1-T3 of the stator coil 4 of the electric rotating machine 1 to supply three-phase AC current to the stator coil 4. The inverter 5 is of a well-known type; therefore a detailed description of its configuration is omitted hereinafter. The inverter 5 drives the electric rotating machine 1 using a well-known sine-wave PWM driving method.

More specifically, the inverter 5 is configured with six power transistors 8. The power transistors 8 are respectively driven by six drive signals 7 sent from the controller 6, thereby supplying substantially sine-wave, three-phase AC current to the stator coil 4. The angular position sensor 9 is configured with, for example, a resolver and mounted to the rotor 2 of the electric rotating machine 1. The angular position sensor 9 senses the angular position of the rotor 2 and outputs to the controller 6 an angular position signal that indicates the sensed angular potion. The controller 6 generates, based on the angular position signal, the drive signals 7 and sends them to the power transistors 8 of the inverter 5. In addition, it is also possible for the controller 6 to feedback-control the inverter 5 based on the AC current actually supplied to the stator coil 4 which is sensed by a current sensor (not shown).

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve the following advantages.

As described previously, in a conventional three-phase electric rotating machine, magnetic noise and torque ripple are generally caused by the overlapping of harmonic components with sine-wave drive currents supplied to the phase windings of a three-phase stator coil of the machine; the harmonic components are caused by, for example, a dead time provided for protecting a power transistor of a three-phase inverter that drives the electric rotating machine. More specifically, in terms of electromagnetic force, the magnetic noise and torque ripple are mainly caused by the sixth harmonic components of electromagnetic forces created by the phase windings of the three-phase stator coil. In addition, the wavelength of the sixth-order harmonic components is equal to π/3.

In comparison, in the electric rotating machine 1 according to the present embodiment, with respect to the number of the magnetic poles 2 a being equal to ten (i.e., 10×1), the number of the stator core teeth 3 a is equal to twelve (i.e., 12×1). Therefore, with respect to the pitch of the magnetic poles 2 a in electrical angle being equal to π, the pitch of the stator core teeth 3 a in electrical angle is equal to (1−⅙)π. Further, the stator coil 4 is comprised of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b. The first winding group 4 a includes the first and second X-phase windings X1 and X2 (i.e., 2×1 X-phase windings), the first and second Y-phase windings Y1 and Y2 (i.e., 2×1 Y-phase windings), and the first and second Z-phase windings Z1 and Z2 (i.e., 2×1 Z-phase windings). The second winding group 4 b includes the first and second U-phase windings U1 and U2 (i.e., 2×1 U-phase windings), the first and second V-phase windings V1 and V2 (i.e., 2×1 V-phase windings), and the first and second W-phase windings W1 and W2 (i.e., 2×1 W-phase windings). The stator coil 4 is wound around the stator core 30 in a concentrated winding manner so that each of the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b is wound around a corresponding one of the stator core teeth 3 a. Moreover, the X-phase, Y-phase, and Z-phase windings of the first winding group 4 a are respectively wound around the even-numbered stator core teeth 3 a, whereas the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase windings of the second winding group 4 b are respectively wound around the odd-numbered stator core teeth 3 a. That is, the windings of the first winding group 4 a are alternately arranged with those of the second winding group 4 b in the circumferential direction of the stator core 30. Furthermore, the winding directions of each corresponding pair of one of the X-phase, Y-phase, and Z-phase windings of the first stator coil 4 a and one of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase windings of the second stator coil 4 b, which are respectively wound around an adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 3 a, are opposite to each other. Consequently, the phase difference between each corresponding pair of the windings of the first and second stator coils 4 a and 4 b, such as the pairs of the windings X1 and U1, Y1 and V1, Z1 and W1, X2 and U2, Y2 and V2, and Z2 and W2, becomes equal to: (1−⅙)π−π=−π/6.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b are connected to form two (i.e., 2×1) Δ-Y connections that are arranged one after another in the circumferential direction of the stator core 30. The first Δ-Y connection is formed of the windings X1, Y1, and Z1 of the first winding group 4 a and the windings U1, V1, and W1 of the second winding group 4 b; the six different-phase windings are adjacent to one another and arranged in the sequence U1, X1, V1, Y1, W1, and Z1 in the circumferential direction of the stator core 30. The first Δ-Y connection is a combination of the first Δ connection of the windings X1, Y1, and Z1 of the first winding group 4 a and the first Y-connection of the windings U1, V1, and W1 of the second winding group 4 b. The first Δ connection and the first Y connection are combined by connecting opposite ends of each of the Y-connected windings U1, V1, and W1 respectively to a corresponding one of the nodes C1-C3 between the Δ-connected windings X1, Y1, and Z1 and a corresponding one of the terminals T1-T3 of the stator coil 4. On the other hand, the second Δ-Y connection is formed of the windings X2, Y2, and Z2 of the first winding group 4 a and the windings U2, V2, and W2 of the second winding group 4 b; the six different-phase windings are adjacent to one another and arranged in the sequence U2, X2, V2, Y2, W2, and Z2 in the circumferential direction of the stator core 30. The second Δ-Y connection is a combination of the second Δ connection of the windings X2, Y2, and Z2 of the first winding group 4 a and the second Y connection of the windings U2, V2, and W2 of the second winding group 4 b. The second Δ connection and the second Y connection are combined by connecting opposite ends of each of the Y-connected windings U2, V2, and W2 respectively to a corresponding one of the nodes C4-C6 between the Δ-connected windings X2, Y2, and Z2 and a corresponding one of the terminals T1-T3 of the stator coil 4.

With the above arrangement of the stator coil 4, as shown in FIG. 5, when normal three-phase AC current is supplied to the stator coil 4 via the terminals T1-T3, there will be a phase difference of 30° (i.e., π/6) between each of pairs of drive currents that are respectively supplied to the corresponding pairs of the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b. The phase difference of π/6 is equal to half the wavelength (i.e., π/3) of the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b. That is, the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the first winding group 4 a are in opposite phase to those of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the second winding group 4 b. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the torque ripple caused by the first winding group 4 a will be offset by that caused by the second winding group 4 b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the total torque ripple generated in the electric rotating machine 1 can be reduced to about half that of the conventional three-phase electric rotating machine described previously. In addition, though not graphically shown, the total magnetic noise generated in the electric rotating machine 1 can also be considerably reduced in comparison with the conventional three-phase electric rotating machine.

Moreover, unlike the synchronous machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-5603, the electric rotating machine 1 according to the present embodiment can be driven with only a single three-phase inverter to achieve the above-described effects of reducing the total magnetic noise and torque ripple. Consequently, with the use of the single three-phase inverter, reductions in the scale, cost, and complexity of the entire mechanical power generation system 100 can be achieved.

In addition, with the above arrangement of the stator coil 4, the voltage across each of the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group 4 a will be √{square root over (3)} times that across each of the Y-connected windings of the second winding group 4 b. In consideration of the above, in the present embodiment, the first predetermined number of turns, by which each of the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group 4 a is wound, is set to be 1.6 to 1.9 times the second predetermined number of turns by which each of the Y-connected windings of the second winding group 4 b is wound. Consequently, the magnitude of the drive current flowing in each of the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group 4 a will be substantially equal to that of the drive current flowing in each of the Y-connected windings of the second winding group 4 b. As a result, it is possible to more effectively offset the magnetic noise and torque ripple caused by the windings of the first winding group 4 a with those caused by the windings of the second winding group 4 b.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the configuration of an electric rotating machine 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that for the sake of facilitating understanding, first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b, which are actually mounted on the same stator core 30, are separately shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the stator core 30 of the stator 3 and the rotor 2 in this embodiment are identical to those in the first embodiment. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the number of the stator core teeth 3 a is equal to twelve; the number of the magnetic poles 2 a is equal to ten; with respect to the pitch of the magnetic poles 2 a in electrical angle being equal to π, the pitch of the stator core teeth 3 a in electrical angle is equal to (1−⅙)π.

However, the stator coil 4 is wound around the stator core 30 in a different manner from that in the first embodiment. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the stator coil 4 is wound around the stator core 30 in a concentrated winding manner so that: each of the windings of the first winding group 4 a is wound around a radially inner portion of each of corresponding two of the stator core teeth 3 a of the stator core by a first predetermined number of turns; and each of the windings of the second winding group 4 b is wound around a radially outer portion of each of corresponding two of the stator core teeth 3 a of the stator core by a second predetermined number of turns.

More specifically, the first winding group 4 a includes first and second X-phase windings X1 and X2, first and second Y-phase windings Y1 and Y2, and first and second Z-phase windings Z1 and Z2.

The first X-phase winding X1 includes a first section X1-1 and a second section X1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section X1-1 is wound, from the slot 11 s to the slot 12 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 12 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section X1-2 is wound, from the slot 1 s to the slot 12 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 1 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

The first Y-phase winding Y1 includes a first section Y1-1 and a second section Y1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section Y1-1 is wound, from the slot 2 s to the slot 1 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 2 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section Y1-2 is wound, from the slot 2 s to the slot 3 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 3 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

The first Z-phase winding Z1 includes a first section Z1-1 and a second section Z1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section Z1-1 is wound, from the slot 3 s to the slot 4 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 4 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section Z1-2 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 4 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 5 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

Further, the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 are Δ-connected so that: one end of the first X-phase winding X1 which protrudes from the slot 12 s is connected, at a node C2, to one end of the first Y-phase winding Y1 which protrudes from the slot 2 s; the other end of the first Y-phase winding Y1 which protrudes from the slot 3 s is connected, at a node C3, to one end of the first Z-phase winding Z1 which protrudes from the slot 3 s; and the other end of the first Z-phase winding Z1 which protrudes from the slot 4 s is connected, at a node C1, to the other end of the first X-phase winding X1 which protrudes from the slot 11 s.

The second X-phase winding X2 includes a first section X2-1 and a second section X2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section X2-1 is wound, from the slot 6 s to the slot 5 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 6 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section X2-2 is wound, from the slot 6 s to the slot 7 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 7 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

The second Y-phase winding Y2 includes a first section Y2-1 and a second section Y2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section Y2-1 is wound, from the slot 7 s to the slot 8 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 8 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section Y2-2 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 8 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 9 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

The second Z-phase winding Z2 includes a first section Z2-1 and a second section Z2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section Z2-1 is wound, from the slot 10 s to the slot 9 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 10 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section Z2-2 is wound, from the slot 10 s to the slot 11 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 11 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

Further, the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 are Δ-connected so that: one end of the second X-phase winding X2 which protrudes from the slot 7 s is connected, at a node C5, to one end of the second Y-phase winding Y2 which protrudes from the slot 7 s; the other end of the second Y-phase winding Y2 which protrudes from the slot 8 s is connected, at a node C6, to one end of the second Z-phase winding Z2 which protrudes from the slot 10 s; and the other end of the second Z-phase winding Z2 which protrudes from the slot 11 s is connected, at a node C4, to the other end of the second X-phase winding X2 which protrudes from the slot 6 s.

The second winding group 4 b includes first and second U-phase windings U1 and U2, first and second V-phase windings V1 and V2, and first and second W-phase windings W1 and W2.

The first U-phase winding U1 includes a first section U1-1 and a second section U1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section U1-1 is wound, from the slot 1 s to the slot 12 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth lt by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section U1-2 is wound, from the slot is to the slot 2 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 2 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

The first V-phase winding V1 includes a first section V1-1 and a second section V1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section V1-1 is wound, from the slot 2 s to the slot 3 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 3 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section V1-2 is wound, from the slot 4 s to the slot 3 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 4 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

The first W-phase winding W1 includes a first section W1-1 and a second section W1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section W1-1 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 4 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 5 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section W1-2 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 6 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 6 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

Further, one end of the first U-phase winding U1 which protrudes from the slot 1 s is connected to a first terminal T1 of the stator coil 4, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 2 s is connected to the node C1. One end of the first V-phase winding V1 which protrudes from the slot 2 s is connected to a second terminal T2 of the stator coil 4, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 3 s is connected to the node C2. One end of the first W-phase winding W1 which protrudes from the slot 5 s is connected to a third terminal T3 of the stator coil 4, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 6 s is connected to the node C1 As a result, the first U-phase winding U1, the first V-phase winding V1, and the first W-phase winding W1 are Y-connected with the neutral point therebetween being made up of the Δ connection of the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 (see FIG. 4).

The second U-phase winding U2 includes a first section U2-1 and a second section U2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section U2-1 is wound, from the slot 6 s to the slot 7 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 7 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section U2-2 is wound, from the slot 8 s to the slot 7 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 8 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

The second V-phase winding V2 includes a first section V2-1 and a second section V2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section V2-1 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 8 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 9 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section V2-2 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 10 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 10 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

The second W-phase winding W2 includes a first section W2-1 and a second section W2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section W2-1 is wound, from the slot 10 s to the slot 11 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 11 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section W2-2 is wound, from the slot 12 s to the slot 11 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 12 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

Further, one end of the second U-phase winding U2 which protrudes from the slot 6 s is connected to the first terminal T1 of the stator coil 4, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 7 s is connected to the node C4. One end of the second V-phase winding V2 which protrudes from the slot 9 s is connected to the second terminal T2 of the stator coil 4, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 10 s is connected to the node C5. One end of the second W-phase winding W2 which protrudes from the slot 10 s is connected to the third terminal T3 of the stator coil 4, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 1 s is connected to the node C6. As a result, the second U-phase winding U2, the second V-phase winding V2, and the second W-phase winding W2 are Y-connected with the neutral point therebetween being made up of the Δ connection of the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 (see FIG. 4).

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the stator coil 4 is comprised of two Δ-Y connections. The first Δ-Y connection is formed by combining the Δ connection of the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 with the Y connection of the first U-phase winding U1, the first V-phase winding V1, and the first W-phase winding W1. The second Δ-Y connection is formed by combining the Δ connection of the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 with the Y connection of the second U-phase winding U2, the second V-phase winding V2, and the second W-phase winding W2.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the first predetermined number of turns, by which each of the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group 4 a is wound, is also set to be 1.6 to 1.9 times the second predetermined number of turns by which each of the Y-connected windings of the second winding group 4 b is wound.

The electric rotating machine 1 according to the present embodiment can be used, instead of the electric rotating machine 1 according to the first embodiment, in the mechanical power generation system 100 shown in FIG. 4 to function as an electric motor. In addition, the electric circuit of the stator 3 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the stator 3 according to the first embodiment, and thus can also be represented by FIG. 4.

As described above, in the present embodiment, each corresponding pair of the windings of the first and second stator coils 4 a and 4 b, such as the pairs of the windings X1 and U1, Y1 and V1, Z1 and W1, X2 and U2, Y2 and V2, and Z2 and W2, are offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the stator core 30 by one stator core tooth 3 a. Further, the first sections X1-1 and U1-1 of the windings X1 and U1 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 12 t and 1 t in opposite directions; the second sections X1-2 and U1-2 of the windings X1 and U1 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 1 t and 2 t in opposite directions; the first sections Y1-1 and V1-1 of the windings Y1 and V1 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 2 t and 3 t in opposite directions; the second sections Y1-2 and V1-2 of the windings Y1 and V1 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 3 t and 4 t in opposite directions; the first sections Z1-1 and W1-1 of the windings Z1 and W1 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 4 t and 5 t in opposite directions; the second sections Z1-2 and W1-2 of the windings Z1 and W1 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 5 t and 6 t in opposite directions; the first sections X2-1 and U2-1 of the windings X2 and U2 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 6 t and 7 t in opposite directions; the second sections X2-2 and U2-2 of the windings X2 and U2 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 7 t and 8 t in opposite directions; the first sections Y2-1 and V2-1 of the windings Y2 and V2 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 8 t and 9 t in opposite directions; the second sections Y2-2 and V2-2 of the windings Y2 and V2 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 9 t and 10 t in opposite directions; the first sections Z2-1 and W2-1 of the windings Z2 and W2 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 10 t and 11 t in opposite directions; the second sections Z2-2 and W2-2 of the windings Z2 and W2 are respectively wound around the adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 11 t and 12 t in opposite directions. Consequently, the phase difference between each corresponding pair of the windings of the first and second stator coils 4 a and 4 b becomes equal to: (1−⅙)π−π=−π/6. As a result, the magnetic noise and torque ripple caused by the windings of the first winding group 4 a can be offset by those caused by the windings of the second winding group 4 b.

Moreover, the electric rotating machine 1 according to the present embodiment can also be driven with only a single three-phase inverter.

Therefore, with the stator coil arrangement according to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same advantages as with that according to the first embodiment.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the first and second sections of each of the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b are respectively wound around an adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 3 a and connected in series with each other.

With the above arrangement, it is possible to continuously wind the first and second sections at the same time, thereby improving the productivity of the electric rotating machine 1.

In addition, in the present embodiment, each corresponding pair of the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b occupies an angular range covering three stator core teeth 3 a. Consequently, compared to the first embodiment, the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces caused by the corresponding pair of the windings can be offset in a wider angular range. As a result, it is possible to more effectively reduce the total magnetic noise and torque ripple generated in the electric rotating machine 1.

Third Embodiment

This embodiment illustrates an electric rotating machine 1 which has a stator coil arrangement slightly different from that according to the first embodiment.

The stator core 30 of the stator 3 and the rotor 2 in this embodiment are identical to those in the first embodiment. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the number of the stator core teeth 3 a is equal to twelve; the number of the magnetic poles 2 a is equal to ten; with respect to the pitch of the magnetic poles 2 a in electrical angle being equal to π, the pitch of the stator core teeth 3 a in electrical angle is equal to (1−⅙)π.

Referring to FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the stator coil 4 is comprised of first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b. The first winding group 4 a includes first and second X-phase windings X1 and X2, first and second Y-phase windings Y1 and Y2, and first and second Z-phase windings Z1 and Z2. The second winding group 4 b includes first and second U-phase windings U1 and U2, first and second V-phase windings V1 and V2, and first and second W-phase windings W1 and W2. The stator coil 4 is wound around the stator core 30 in a concentrated winding manner so that each of the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b is wound around a corresponding one of the stator core teeth 3 a of the stator core 30.

Specifically, the windings of the first winding group 4 a are wound as follows.

The first X-phase winding X1 is wound, from the slot 1 s to the slot 2 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 2 t by a first predetermined number of turns. The first Y-phase winding Y1 is wound, from the slot 4 s to the slot 3 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 4 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The first Z-phase winding Z1 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 6 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 6 t by the first predetermined number of turns. Further, the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 are Δ-connected so that: the first X-phase winding X1 and the first Y-phase winding Y1 are connected at a node C2; the first Y-phase winding Y1 and the first Z-phase winding Z1 are connected at a node C3; and the first Z-phase winding Z1 and the first X-phase winding X1 are connected at a node C1.

Moreover, the second X-phase winding X2 is wound, from the slot 8 s to the slot 7 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 8 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second Y-phase winding Y2 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 10 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 10 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second Z-phase winding Z2 is wound, from the slot 12 s to the slot 11 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 12 t by the first predetermined number of turns. Further, the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 are Δ-connected so that: the second X-phase winding X2 and the second Y-phase winding Y2 are connected at a node C5; the second Y-phase winding Y2 and the second Z-phase winding Z2 are connected at a node C6; and the second Z-phase winding Z2 and the second X-phase winding X2 are connected at a node C4.

On the other hand, the windings of the second winding group 4 b are wound as follows.

The first U-phase winding U1 is wound, from the slot is to the slot 12 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 1 t by a second predetermined number of turns. Further, the first U-phase winding U1 has one end protruding from the slot 1 s and connected to a neutral point N1, and the other end protruding from the slot 12 s and connected to the node C1. The first V-phase winding V1 is wound, from the slot 2 s to the slot 3 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 3 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the first V-phase winding V1 has one end protruding from the slot 2 s and connected to the neutral point N1, and the other end protruding from the slot 3 s and connected to the node C2. The first W-phase winding W1 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 4 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 5 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the first W-phase winding W1 has one end protruding from the slot 5 s and connected to the neutral point N1, and the other end protruding from the slot 4 s and connected to the node C3. As a result, the first U-phase winding U1, the first V-phase winding V1, and the first W-phase winding W1 of the second winding group 4 b are Y-connected with the three ends of the Y-connection respectively connected to the nodes C1-C3 between the Δ-connected windings X1, Y1, and Z1 of the first winding group 4 a (see FIG. 11).

Moreover, the second U-phase winding U2 is wound, from the slot 6 s to the slot 7 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 7 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the second U-phase winding U2 has one end protruding from the slot 6 s and connected to a neutral point N2, and the other end protruding from the slot 7 s and connected to the node C4. The second V-phase winding V2 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 8 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 9 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the second V-phase winding V2 has one end protruding from the slot 9 s and connected to the neutral point N2, and the other end protruding from the slot 8 s and connected to the node C5. The second W-phase winding W2 is wound, from the slot 10 s to the slot 11 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 11 t by the second predetermined number of turns. Further, the second W-phase winding W2 has one end protruding from the slot 10 s and connected to the neutral point N2, and the other end protruding from the slot 11 s and connected to the node C6. As a result, the second U-phase winding U2, the second V-phase winding V2, and the second W-phase winding W2 of the second winding group 4 b are Y-connected with the three ends of the Y-connection respectively connected to the nodes C4-C6 between the Δ-connected windings X2, Y2, and Z2 of the first winding group 4 a (see FIG. 11).

Furthermore, both the nodes C1 and C4 are connected to a first terminal T1 of the stator coil 4; both the nodes C2 and C5 are connected to a second terminal T2 of the stator coil 4; both the nodes C3 and C6 are connected to a third terminal T3 of the stator coil 4.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the stator coil 4 is comprised of two Δ-Y connections. The first Δ-Y connection is formed by combining the Δ connection of the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 with the Y connection of the first U-phase winding U1, the first V-phase winding V1, and the first W-phase winding W1. The second Δ-Y connection is formed by combining the Δ connection of the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 with the Y connection of the second U-phase winding U2, the second V-phase winding V2, and the second W-phase winding W2.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the first predetermined number of turns, by which each of the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group 4 a is wound, is also set to be 1.6 to 1.9 times the second predetermined number of turns by which each of the Y-connected windings of the second winding group 4 b is wound.

As shown in FIG. 11, the electric rotating machine 1 according to the present embodiment can be used, instead of the electric rotating machine 1 according to the first embodiment, in the mechanical power generation system 100 to function as an electric motor. In addition, it can be seen from FIG. 11 and FIG. 4 that the electric circuit of the stator 3 according to the present embodiment is different from that of the stator 3 according to the first embodiment.

With the stator coil arrangement according to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same advantages as with that according to the first embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

This embodiment illustrates an electric rotating machine 1 which has a stator coil arrangement that is a combination of the stator coil arrangements according to the second and third embodiments.

The stator core 30 of the stator 3 and the rotor 2 in this embodiment are identical to those in the previous embodiments. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the number of the stator core teeth 3 a is equal to twelve; the number of the magnetic poles 2 a is equal to ten; with respect to the pitch of the magnetic poles 2 a in electrical angle being equal to π, the pitch of the stator core teeth 3 a in electrical angle is equal to (1−⅙)π.

Referring to FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the stator coil 4 is comprised of first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b. The first winding group 4 a includes first and second X-phase windings X1 and X2, first and second Y-phase windings Y1 and Y2, and first and second Z-phase windings Z1 and Z2. The second winding group 4 b includes first and second U-phase windings U1 and U2, first and second V-phase windings V1 and V2, and first and second W-phase windings W1 and W2. The stator coil 4 is wound around the stator core 30 in a concentrated winding manner so that: each of the windings of the first winding group 4 a is wound around a radially inner portion of each of corresponding two of the stator core teeth 3 a of the stator core by a first predetermined number of turns; and each of the windings of the second winding group 4 b is wound around a radially outer portion of each of corresponding two of the stator core teeth 3 a of the stator core by a second predetermined number of turns.

Specifically, the windings of the first winding group 4 a are wound as follows.

The first X-phase winding X1 includes a first section X1-1 and a second section X1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section X1-1 is wound, from the slot 11 s to the slot 12 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 12 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section X1-2 is wound, from the slot is to the slot 12 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth it by the first predetermined number of turns.

The first Y-phase winding Y1 includes a first section Y1-1 and a second section Y1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section Y1-1 is wound, from the slot 2 s to the slot 1 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 2 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section Y1-2 is wound, from the slot 2 s to the slot 3 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 3 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

The first Z-phase winding Z1 includes a first section Z1-1 and a second section Z1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section Z1-1 is wound, from the slot 3 s to the slot 4 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 4 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section Z1-2 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 4 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 5 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

Further, the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 are Δ-connected so that: one end of the first X-phase winding X1 which protrudes from the slot 12 s is connected, at a node C2, to one end of the first Y-phase winding Y1 which protrudes from the slot 2 s; the other end of the first Y-phase winding Y1 which protrudes from the slot 3 s is connected, at a node C3, to one end of the first Z-phase winding Z1 which protrudes from the slot 3 s; and the other end of the first Z-phase winding Z1 which protrudes from the slot 4 s is connected, at a node C1, to the other end of the first X-phase winding X1 which protrudes from the slot 11 s.

The second X-phase winding X2 includes a first section X2-1 and a second section X2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section X2-1 is wound, from the slot 6 s to the slot 5 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 6 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section X2-2 is wound, from the slot 6 s to the slot 7 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 7 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

The second Y-phase winding Y2 includes a first section Y2-1 and a second section Y2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section Y2-1 is wound, from the slot 7 s to the slot 8 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 8 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section Y2-2 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 8 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 9 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

The second Z-phase winding Z2 includes a first section Z2-1 and a second section Z2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section Z2-1 is wound, from the slot 10 s to the slot 9 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 10 t by the first predetermined number of turns. The second section Z2-2 is wound, from the slot 10 s to the slot 11 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 11 t by the first predetermined number of turns.

Further, the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 are Δ-connected so that: one end of the second X-phase winding X2 which protrudes from the slot 7 s is connected, at a node C5, to one end of the second Y-phase winding Y2 which protrudes from the slot 7 s; the other end of the second Y-phase winding Y2 which protrudes from the slot 8 s is connected, at a node C6, to one end of the second Z-phase winding Z2 which protrudes from the slot 10 s; and the other end of the second Z-phase winding Z2 which protrudes from the slot 11 s is connected, at a node C4, to the other end of the second X-phase winding X2 which protrudes from the slot 6 s.

On the other hand, the windings of the second winding group 4 b are wound as follows.

The first U-phase winding U1 includes a first section U1-1 and a second section U1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section U1-1 is wound, from the slot 1 s to the slot 12 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 1 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section U1-2 is wound, from the slot 1 s to the slot 2 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 2 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

The first V-phase winding V1 includes a first section V1-1 and a second section V1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section V1-1 is wound, from the slot 2 s to the slot 3 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 3 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section V1-2 is wound, from the slot 4 s to the slot 3 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 4 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

The first W-phase winding W1 includes a first section W1-1 and a second section W1-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section W1-1 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 4 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 5 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section W1-2 is wound, from the slot 5 s to the slot 6 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 6 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

Further, one end of the first U-phase winding U1 which protrudes from the slot 1 s is connected to the node C1, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 2 s is connected to a neutral point N1. One end of the first V-phase winding V1 which protrudes from the slot 2 s is connected to the node C2, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 3 s is connected to the neutral point N1. One end of the first W-phase winding W1 which protrudes from the slot 5 s is connected to the node C3, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 6 s is connected to t the neutral point N1. As a result, the first U-phase winding U1, the first V-phase winding V1, and the first W-phase winding W1 of the second winding group 4 b are Y-connected with the three ends of the Y-connection respectively connected to the nodes C1-C3 between the Δ-connected windings X1, Y1, and Z1 of the first winding group 4 a (see FIG. 11).

The second U-phase winding U2 includes a first section U2-1 and a second section U2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section U2-1 is wound, from the slot 6 s to the slot 7 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 7 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section U2-2 is wound, from the slot 8 s to the slot 7 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 8 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

The second V-phase winding V2 includes a first section V2-1 and a second section V2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section V2-1 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 8 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 9 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section V2-2 is wound, from the slot 9 s to the slot 10 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 10 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

The second W-phase winding W2 includes a first section W2-1 and a second section W2-2, which are connected in series with each other. The first section W2-1 is wound, from the slot 10 s to the slot 11 s, clockwise around the stator core tooth 11 t by the second predetermined number of turns. The second section W2-2 is wound, from the slot 12 s to the slot 11 s, counterclockwise around the stator core tooth 12 t by the second predetermined number of turns.

Further, one end of the second U-phase winding U2 which protrudes from the slot 6 s is connected to the node C4, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 7 s is connected to a neutral point N2. One end of the second V-phase winding V2 which protrudes from the slot 9 s is connected to the node C5, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 10 s is connected to the neutral point N2. One end of the second W-phase winding W2 which protrudes from the slot 10 s is connected to the node C6, and the other end of the same which protrudes from the slot 11 s is connected to the neutral point N2. As a result, the second U-phase winding U2, the second V-phase winding V2, and the second W-phase winding W2 of the second winding group 4 b are Y-connected with the three ends of the Y-connection respectively connected to the nodes C4-C6 between the Δ-connected windings X2, Y2, and Z2 of the first winding group 4 a (see FIG. 11).

Furthermore, both the nodes C1 and C4 are connected to a first terminal T1 of the stator coil 4; both the nodes C2 and C5 are connected to a second terminal T2 of the stator coil 4; both the nodes C3 and C6 are connected to a third terminal T3 of the stator coil 4.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the stator coil 4 is comprised of two Δ-Y connections. The first Δ-Y connection is formed by combining the Δ connection of the first X-phase winding X1, the first Y-phase winding Y1, and the first Z-phase winding Z1 with the Y connection of the first U-phase winding U1, the first V-phase winding V1, and the first W-phase winding W1. The second Δ-Y connection is formed by combining the Δ connection of the second X-phase winding X2, the second Y-phase winding Y2, and the second Z-phase winding Z2 with the Y connection of the second U-phase winding U2, the second V-phase winding V2, and the second W-phase winding W2.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the first predetermined number of turns, by which each of the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group 4 a is wound, is also set to be 1.6 to 1.9 times the second predetermined number of turns by which each of the Y-connected windings of the second winding group 4 b is wound.

The electric rotating machine 1 according to the present embodiment can be used, instead of the electric rotating machine 1 according to the third embodiment, in the mechanical power generation system 100 shown in FIG. 11 to function as an electric motor. In addition, the electric circuit of the stator 3 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the stator 3 according to the third embodiment, and thus can also be represented by FIG. 11.

With the stator coil arrangement according to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same advantages as with that according to the second embodiment.

While the above particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, changes, and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in the previous embodiments, the rotor 2 has ten magnetic poles 2 a. However, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rotor 2 may also have fourteen magnetic poles 2 a the polarities of which alternate between north and south in the circumferential direction of the stator core 30. In this case, the ratio of the number of the stator core teeth 3 a to the number of the magnetic poles 2 a is equal to 6:7. Therefore, with respect to the pitch of the magnetic poles 2 a in electrical angle being equal to π, the pitch of the stator core teeth 3 a in electrical angle is equal to (1+⅙)π. Further, the winding directions of each corresponding pair of one of the windings of the first winding group 4 a and one of the windings of the second winding group 4 b, which are respectively wound around an adjacent pair of the stator core teeth 3 a, are opposite to each other. Consequently, the phase difference between each corresponding pair of the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b becomes equal to: (1+⅙)π−π=π/6. As a result, with the number of the magnetic poles 2 a being equal to fourteen, it is still possible to achieve the advantages described in the previous embodiments.

In the previous embodiments, the magnetic poles 2 a of the rotor 2 are formed by arranging the permanent magnets on the radially outer periphery of the rotor 2. However, as shown in FIG. 15, the magnetic poles 2 a of the rotor 2 may also be formed by embedding the permanent magnets in the rotor 2. In other words, the rotor 2 may also be of an IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet) type. In this case, it is possible to further reduce the magnetic noise and torque ripple generated in the electric rotating machine 1.

Moreover, the magnetic poles 2 a of the rotor 2 may also be formed by creating desired magnetic reluctance in the rotor 2 or by using electromagnets. In other words, the rotor 2 may also be of reluctance type or electromagnet type.

In the previous embodiments and modifications, the number of the stator core teeth 3 a is equal to twelve, while the number of the magnetic poles 2 a is equal to 10 or 14. In other words, the number of the stator core teeth 3 a is equal to 12×1 with the number of the magnetic poles 2 a being equal to 10×1 or 14×1. However, the number of the stator core teeth 3 a may also be equal to 12×n with the number of the magnetic poles 2 a being equal to 10×n or 14×n, where n is a natural number greater than 1. In this case, the first winding group 4 a may include 2×n X-phase windings, 2×n Y-phase windings, and 2×n Z-phase windings; the second winding group 4 b may include 2×n U-phase windings, 2×n V-phase windings, and 2×n W-phase windings; the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b may be connected to form 2×n Δ-Y connections that are arranged one after another in the circumferential direction of the stator core 30.

In the previous embodiments, each of the Δ-Y connections is formed by: Δ-connecting three different-phase windings of the first winding group 4 a to form a Δ connection; and Y-connecting three different-phase windings of the second winding group 4 b to form a Y connection. However, at least one of the Δ-Y connections may also be formed by: Δ-connecting three different-phase windings of the second winding group 4 b to form a Δ connection; and Y-connecting three different-phase windings of the first winding group 4 a to form a Y connection.

In the first and third embodiments, for each of the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b, the first and second sections of the winding are connected in series with each other. However, the first and second sections may also be connected in parallel with each other. In addition, in this case, it is preferable to halve the cross-sectional area of the winding and double the number of turns of the same around the corresponding stator core teeth 3 a.

In the second and fourth embodiments, the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group 4 a are positioned radially inward of the Y-connected windings of the second winding group 4 b. Moreover, the circumferential width of each of the slots 3 b of the stator core 30 increases in a radially outward direction (see FIG. 1). Therefore, it is preferable that the Δ-connected windings of the first winding group 4 a have a smaller thickness than the Y-connected windings of the second winding group 4 b, thereby improving the space factors of the windings of the first and second winding groups 4 a and 4 b in the slots 3 b of the stator core 30.

In the previous embodiments, the magnetic poles 2 a of the rotor 2 may be skewed with respect to the longitudinal axis 20 of the rotor 2 by a predetermined angle θ, as shown in FIG. 16. In this case, it is possible to further effectively reduce the total magnetic noise and torque ripple generated in the electric rotating machine 1 at high rotational speeds of the rotor 2. In addition, the predetermined angle θ may be, for example, 45°.

In the previous embodiments, the electric rotating machine 1 is used in the mechanical power generation system 100 to function as an electric motor. However, the electric rotating machine 1 may also be used in an electric power generation system to function as an electric generator. In this case, the electric power generation system may employ only a single three-phase rectifier to rectify three-phase AC current, which is output from the stator coil 4 of the electric rotating machine 1, into DC power. Consequently, with the use of the single three-phase rectifier, reductions in the scale, cost, and complexity of the entire electric power generation system can be achieved. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric rotating machine comprising: a stator including a hollow cylindrical stator core and a stator coil, the stator core having a plurality of stator core teeth that are formed at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction of the stator core, the stator coil having three terminals via which three-phase AC current is input to or output from the stator coil; and a rotor disposed radially inside of the stator core, the rotor having a plurality of magnetic poles the polarities of which alternate between north and south in the circumferential direction of the stator core, wherein the number of the stator core teeth is equal to 12×n, and the number of the magnetic poles of the rotor is equal to 10×n or 14×n, where n is a natural number, the stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups, the first winding group including 2×n X-phase windings, 2×n Y-phase windings, and 2×n Z-phase windings, the second winding group including 2×n U-phase windings, 2×n V-phase windings, and 2×n W-phase windings, each of the windings of the first and second winding groups includes a first section and a second section, the stator coil is wound around the stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that each of the first and second sections of the windings of the first and second winding groups is wound around a corresponding one of the stator core teeth, for each of the windings of the first and second winding groups, the first and second sections of the winding are wound in opposite directions, the windings of the first and second winding groups are connected to form 2×n Δ-Y connections that are arranged one after another in the circumferential direction of the stator core, each of the Δ-Y connections is formed of six different-phase windings including one X-phase winding, one Y-phase winding, and one Z-phase winding of the first winding group and one U-phase winding, one V-phase winding, and one W-phase winding of the second winding group, wherein for each of the Δ-Y connections: the first and second sections of the three different-phase windings of the first winding group are arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core in a sequence of the first section of the X-phase winding, the second section of the X-phase winding, the first section of the Y-phase winding, the second section of the Y-phase winding, the first section of the Z-phase winding, and the second section of the Z-phase winding; the first and second sections of the three different-phase windings of the second winding group are arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core in a sequence of the first section of the U-phase winding, the second section of the U-phase winding, the first section of the V-phase winding, the second section of the V-phase winding, the first section of the W-phase winding, and the second section of the W-phase winding; the first section of the U-phase winding and the second section of the X-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the second section of the U-phase winding and the first section of the Y-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the first section of the V-phase winding and the second section of the Y-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the second section of the V-phase winding and the first section of the Z-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, and the first section of the W-phase winding and the second section of the Z-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth; and the first sections of the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the first sections of the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the first sections of the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, and wherein each of the Δ-Y connections is a combination of a Δ connection and a Y connection, the Δ connection being formed by Δ-connecting the three different-phase windings of one of the first and second winding groups, the Y connection being formed by Y-connecting the three different-phase windings of the other winding group, the Δ and Y connections being combined by connecting opposite ends of each of the Y-connected windings respectively to a corresponding one of nodes between the Δ-connected windings and a corresponding one of the three terminals of the stator coil.
 2. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein for each of the windings of the first and second winding groups, the first and second sections of the winding are connected in series with each other.
 3. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second sections of the Δ-connected windings is wound around the corresponding stator core tooth by a first predetermined number of turns, each of the first and second sections of the Y-connected windings is wound around the corresponding stator core tooth by a second predetermined number of turns, and the first predetermined number is set to be 1.6 to 1.9 times the second predetermined number.
 4. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the Δ-connected windings are thinner than and positioned radially inward of the Y-connected windings.
 5. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the magnetic poles of the rotor are skewed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the rotor by a predetermined angle.
 6. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electric rotating machine is used in a mechanical power generation system to function as an electric motor, and the mechanical power generation system comprises only a single three-phase inverter to supply three-phase AC current to the stator coil of the electric rotating machine via the three terminals of the stator coil.
 7. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electric rotating machine is used in an electric power generation system to function as an electric generator, and the electric power generation system comprises only a single three-phase rectifier to rectify three-phase AC current, which is output from the stator coil of the electric rotating machine via the three terminals of the stator coil, into DC current.
 8. An electric rotating machine comprising: a stator including a hollow cylindrical stator core and a stator coil, the stator core having a plurality of stator core teeth that are formed at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction of the stator core, the stator coil having three terminals via which three-phase AC current is input to or output from the stator coil; and a rotor disposed radially inside of the stator core, the rotor having a plurality of magnetic poles the polarities of which alternate between north and south in the circumferential direction of the stator core, wherein the number of the stator core teeth is equal to 12×n, and the number of the magnetic poles of the rotor is equal to 10×n or 14×n, where n is a natural number, the stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups, the first winding group including 2×n X-phase windings, 2×n Y-phase windings, and 2×n Z-phase windings, the second winding group including 2×n U-phase windings, 2×n V-phase windings, and 2×n W-phase windings, each of the windings of the first and second winding groups includes a first section and a second section, the stator coil is wound around the stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that each of the first and second sections of the windings of the first and second winding groups is wound around a corresponding one of the stator core teeth, for each of the windings of the first and second winding groups, the first and second sections of the winding are wound in opposite directions, the windings of the first and second winding groups are connected to form 2×n Δ-Y connections that are arranged one after another in the circumferential direction of the stator core, each of the Δ-Y connections is formed of six different-phase windings including one X-phase winding, one Y-phase winding, and one Z-phase winding of the first winding group and one U-phase winding, one V-phase winding, and one W-phase winding of the second winding group, wherein for each of the Δ-Y connections: the first and second sections of the three different-phase windings of the first winding group are arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core in a sequence of the first section of the X-phase winding, the second section of the X-phase winding, the first section of the Y-phase winding, the second section of the Y-phase winding, the first section of the Z-phase winding, and the second section of the Z-phase winding; the first and second sections of the three different-phase windings of the second winding group are arranged in the circumferential direction of the stator core in a sequence of the first section of the U-phase winding, the second section of the U-phase winding, the first section of the V-phase winding, the second section of the V-phase winding, the first section of the W-phase winding, and the second section of the W-phase winding; the first section of the U-phase winding and the second section of the X-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the second section of the U-phase winding and the first section of the Y-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the first section of the V-phase winding and the second section of the Y-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, the second section of the V-phase winding and the first section of the Z-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth, and the first section of the W-phase winding and the second section of the Z-phase winding are wound around the same stator core tooth; and the first sections of the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the U-phase and X-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the first sections of the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the V-phase and Y-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the first sections of the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, the second sections of the W-phase and Z-phase windings are wound in opposite directions, and wherein each of the Δ-Y connections is a combination of a Δ connection and a Y connection, the Δ connection being formed by Δ-connecting the three different-phase windings of one of the first and second winding groups, nodes between the Δ-connected windings being respectively connected to the three terminals of the stator coil, the Y connection being formed by Y-connecting the three different-phase windings of the other winding group to define a neutral point therebetween, the Δ and Y connections being combined by connecting ends of the Y-connected windings opposite to the neutral point respectively to the nodes between the Δ-connected windings.
 9. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein for each of the windings of the first and second winding groups, the first and second sections of the winding are connected in series with each other.
 10. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of the first and second sections of the Δ-connected windings is wound around the corresponding stator core tooth by a first predetermined number of turns, each of the first and second sections of the Y-connected windings is wound around the corresponding stator core tooth by a second predetermined number of turns, and the first predetermined number is set to be 1.6 to 1.9 times the second predetermined number.
 11. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the Δ-connected windings are thinner than and positioned radially inward of the Y-connected windings.
 12. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the magnetic poles of the rotor are skewed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the rotor by a predetermined angle.
 13. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the electric rotating machine is used in a mechanical power generation system to function as an electric motor, and the mechanical power generation system comprises only a single three-phase inverter to supply three-phase AC current to the stator coil of the electric rotating machine via the three terminals of the stator coil.
 14. The electric rotating machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the electric rotating machine is used in an electric power generation system to function as an electric generator, and the electric power generation system comprises only a single three-phase rectifier to rectify three-phase AC current, which is output from the stator coil of the electric rotating machine via the three terminals of the stator coil, into DC current. 